Becher, Bernd & Hilla | Wasserturm Kirkhamgate, 1974 — available on Composition Gallery

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Offset Lithograph; Hand signed and dated.

Wasserturm Kirkhamgate by Bernd and Hilla Becher, created in 1974, is an offset lithograph measuring 52 x 40 cm, and a unique work within their broader typological series on industrial architecture. This black-and-white photograph captures a water tower near Leeds, England, standing on spindly support legs with its stark, geometric form rendered with clinical precision. Known for their systematic documentation of utilitarian structures, the Bechers elevate anonymous industrial forms to objects of sculptural beauty. Their work is central to conceptual photography and influenced generations of artists with its rigorous, objective style. This particular print is hand-signed and dated by the artists.

Bernd and Hilla Becher (Germany, 1931–2007; 1934–2015) were pioneering photographers known for their typological studies of industrial architecture. Their stark black-and-white images of water towers, factories, and silos captured structural precision and uniformity. Founders of the Düsseldorf School of Photography, their work profoundly influenced generations of artists and shaped the visual language of modern photography.

Bernd & Hilla Becher

Wasserturm Kirkhamgate, 1974

Name: Wasserturm Kirkhamgate, 1974
SKU: 16266
Price: 4200.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Form

Photography

PhotographyPhotography is the process of creating an image on light sensitive materials. The image is produced by using a camera, which has a lens that focuses on light either reflected or emitted from an object. These visible wavelengths are used to reproduce the image seen.

Medium

Offset Print

Offset PrintOffset lithography is a printing technique where the inked image is first transferred (offset) from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. This method combines the lithographic process, which relies on the repulsion of water and oil, to keep non-printing areas ink-free by attracting a water-based film. Offset lithography was originally developed to reduce costs in reproducing artwork and is widely used for high-volume printing due to its efficiency and ability to produce sharp, consistent images.

Edition

Unique work

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Offset Lithograph; Hand signed and dated.

Bernd & Hilla Becher

Wasserturm Kirkhamgate, 1974

Photography

Offset Print

GBP 4,200

Bernd & Hilla Becher

Fördertürme, 2006

Limited Edition Print

Digital Print on paper

Currently Not Available

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What is photography other than collecting?
- Bernd & Hilla Becher

Bernd (b. 1931, Germany, d. 2007, Germany) and Hilla Becher (b. 1934, Germany, d. 2015, Germany) were a pioneering duo in the world of conceptual art, best known for their collaborative work in photography. Meeting through a shared passion for the medium, the Bechers created a lasting legacy by documenting Germany's industrial architecture. Their work is celebrated for its methodical approach, capturing iconic structures such as water towers and coal bunkers in stark black-and-white, which highlighted the contrasts and geometric forms of these edifices. The timing of their work was crucial, as they photographed many industrial landmarks that were soon to disappear during the West German economic miracle. As members of the conceptual art movement, the Bechers’ oeuvre remains influential, with notable works like Cruel and Tender becoming legendary. Their collaborative efforts defy the norm of individual artistic recognition, instead solidifying their place in art history as a unified creative force.

Artwork by Paul Van Hoeydonck

What is Space Art?

Space Art is an artistic genre that depicts the cosmic elements of the universe, including celestial bodies, interstellar space, and space exploration. It began in 1865 with the first science-based illustrations by A. de Neuville and Emile Bayard in Jules Verne’s novel From the Earth to the Moon. Space Art has since evolved to include various forms of visual art inspired by astronomical discoveries and the human imagination, playing a key role in visualizing the wonders of space.

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Bernd & Hilla Becher

Wasserturm Kirkhamgate, 1974

52 x 40 cm

Language & Currency

Bernd & Hilla Becher